great photo of high-rise Army kilt

[CMcG]

Aren't all the regimental tartans considered universal like Black Watch?

We'd have to consult an expert, but I thought some regiments use actual clan tartans? I know Black Watch is the same sett as Campbell, but in darker shades, which distances it a bit from the clan tartan... either way, I don't feel as much connection to a universal tartan, compared to either my clan tartan or a district tartan that I'm associated with.

...
Uh, I'm a Texan. We don't think in terms of keeping warm! Rather the opposite - we think in terms of keeping cool. This kilt is indeed a heavyweight wool, although I wouldn't be able to tell whether it's 18 or 22 oz. I'd guess 18, though.

But as I've stated elsewhere, it's really the yardage in the kilt that makes the difference in heat retention, not the weight of the wool. This kilt has a lot of material in it. So it's pretty warm. And since it goes higher up, it does tend to retain more heat in one's core area. But I daresay that if you were wearing it in winter, your core area is going to be covered by a sweather, jacket, or other garments anyway. So the additional insulation it provides up there probably isn't going to make a huge difference.

Ah, I see I should have translated my question into "Texan" and asked if your military kilt keeps you less cool than your other kilts

When it comes to winter clothing, layering is key so I suspect a 4" rise would make a 2" warmth difference over standard rise. It also makes sense that more yardage = more wool, which should also help. I find it hard to believe, however, that weight doesn't matter. It seems logical that 22oz wool would make a difference in heat retention over 11oz... but maybe the difference between 16oz and 18oz, wouldn't be too noticeable.

I also recall someone doing a scientific measurement on Xmarks that found box pleats were better than knife pleats in the winter because they swing and swish less vigorously, which keeps more warm air trapped under the kilt. I can't seem to find it just now... was it maybe Kilted Hiker who wrote that up?

[MacCathmhaoil]

But as I've stated elsewhere, it's really the yardage in the kilt that makes the difference in heat retention, not the weight of the wool.

I would argue this, if I wear my 22 oz. military 8 yard kilt it is noticeably warmer than my 8 yard 13 oz and even any of my 16 oz. All are 8 yards the only variable is fabric weight. I would invite you to test out your theory on one of our " less than hospitable" February nights when the thermometer drops to -40. You may at that point wish to re-jig that belief!